CRUMPLER, CARL BOYETTE

Name: Carl Boyette Crumpler
Rank/Branch: O5/United States Air Force, pilot
Unit: 433rd TFS
Date of Birth: 02 July 1927
Home City of Record: Jacksonville FL
Date of Loss: 05 July 1968
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 173600 North 1062700 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4D

Other Personnel in Incident: Michael Burns, returnee

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews.

REMARKS: 730314 RELEASED BY DRV

SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977
Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor
P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and
spelling errors).
UPDATE - 09/95 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO


CARL B. CRUMPLER
Colonel - United States Air Force
Shot down: July 5, 1968
Released: March 14, 1973

I am a Floridian by birth and received all my early training in state
schools completing high school in Jacksonville in 1945. Shortly after
graduation I enlisted in the U. S. Navy and was released after one year of
active duty during the World War II demobilization. In 1946 I entered the
University of Alabama and received my degree and USAF commission in 1950. In
September 1950 I was called to active duty and attended pilot training in
1951-52. A succession of assignments in Air Defense Command Fighter
Squadrons followed, from 1952 to 1960, including a tour of duty in Naha,
Okinawa.

In 1960 I attended the Aircraft Maintenance Officers Course and was
subsequently assigned to Air Training Command for four years. My next
assignment was to Teheran, Iran as an advisor to the Imperial Iranian Air
Force. Departing Iran I was assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon,
Thailand with a five month stopover for F4 training at Homestead AFB, Florida.
I was shot down by ground fire over North Vietnam on 5 July 1968.

My wife, Jane, sons, Mike (16), Todd (13), daughters, Beth (11), and Leigh
(10), awaited my return in Orange Park, Florida.

One question that I have often been asked since my return is "What changes
have you seen in America since your return?" Most people asking this are
seeking answers dealing with moral decay, decline of established institutions
or changes in our social structure.

The most obvious change that I have seen is Americans are concerned. They
are concerned about inflation, social problems, integrity in public office
and even the possible decline in our international image. Concerned
Americans working together brought us through the economic chaos of the
30's, rebuilt a destitute Europe after World War II and placed a man on the
moon. It seems time again for us Americans to get a few calluses on our
hands. It is a cheap price to pay for freedom and our way of life. My faith
in the future of our wonderful nation has never been greater.

November 1996
Carl Crumpler retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. He and
Jane still live in Florida.

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